Gross Motor Development

What is gross motor development?

Gross motor development gives your child the ability to perform simple or complex motor skills, such as:

• Balance
• Strength
• Coordination
• Endurance

All babies are born with minimal gross motor development and have to develop these motor skills, one after another. For example, infants learn to roll over, then crawl, then progress to walking. Gross (or “large”) motor skills like sweeping arm or leg movements come before fine motor skills like holding small objects.

Gross motor development helps your child move through movement progressions to build confidence and strength for more complex skills. Walking may make it possible for children to run, which may enable them to progress to kicking a ball and playing a sport with peers.

Whatever your child’s current capabilities and goals, A Grade Therapy aims to make real improvements possible.

What conditions impact gross motor development?

If your child experiences any issues with their brain, bones, muscles, joints, or nervous system, it can impact their gross motor development. Other conditions that can affect gross motor development include:

• Down syndrome
• Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder)
• Cerebral palsy
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Premature birth

If your child’s development progresses slowly, is at a standstill, or regresses, get in touch with A Grade Therapy as soon as possible to see if there are underlying concerns requiring treatment.

How does pediatric therapy improve gross motor development?

After a thorough evaluation, Aaron designs a personalized treatment plan for your child. Depending on their needs, the plan may address:

Locomotion

Whether your child scoots, crawls, walks, or hops from one place to another, moving from point A to point B is called locomotion. A Grade Therapy teaches healthy movement patterns.

Stationary skills

Nontraveling movements like balancing to sit or stand in one place, twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling can also benefit from development.

Manipulating objects

As your child’s motor development progresses, they can use objects for work or fun. Whether they need to eat with silverware, stop a swinging door, or throw a ball, this skill can make them more independent and interested in the world around them.

To learn more about gross motor development, call A Grade Therapy to schedule your in-home or virtual appointment today.